IN part one I attempted to focus attention on what I consider to be the evolving nature of kick-down-the-door banditry into what is loosely termed as “Snatch-and Disappear.” Based on the empirical evidence provided, the method applied in carrying out the criminal act seems to suggest it is intelligence driven, less violent and provides greater escape (real time) opportunity for the bandits. Inherent in the opportunities, is its weakness – the need for information which has to be obtained either from an insider or by observation and surveillance of an intended victim. Vigilance and awareness at the individual or community level at this stage therefore, can act as a deterrent or aid in interception. To present a clear visual imaginary in the mind, a differentiation was made between Home and Home/Business arrangement and the ascending cost factor attached thereto in the employment of security technology. Reference was made to the applicability of the concentric rings of security.
Preventative security starts with an emphasis on a strong external cordon, which in our scenario may be expressed by the presence of concrete (or any other) fence, razor wire, surveillance camera (CCTV), sensors, canine patrol or presence of Guards – depending on affordability. This is designed in the first case to detect any form of intrusion from outside of the established security perimeter. It also constitutes the second cordon (depending on its configuration), which is to intercept and contain, should there be a breach of the external cordon leading to entry into the compound and access to the intended target. In this case, your house or business entity in which you reside. Should these two fail, you are left at the mercy of the bandits or the strength of your inner cordon. Often time it is you, the methods you use to secure your home and/or your surveillance camera installed in the building.
At the personalised level we are speaking of, often times we are lulled into a sense of false security by the installation of CCTV. Unless it is monitored round the clock and you have a back up force, it is not preventative. Its use therefore in businesses is limited to business hours and in so far that it is monitored around-the-clock. Outside of this monitoring, CCTV becomes a recording apparatus for information/gathering, evidence, analysis and possible apprehension. Nothing more! The hard and disappointing fact remains, even with CCTV, you can be robbed.
Adding insult to burglary, when you attempt to retrieve recordings from your security camera, in many cases the pictures are blurred, seedy and useless; of poor quality that cannot aid identification or apprehension! This may be attributed to either poor quality product, or to pt it in another perspective, getting what you paid for! The point to note here is if you would be installing CCTV, know what you are getting. Ask questions or get soneome who is technically savvy to do so? You need to know about its effectiveness, back-up capabilities, size, range (vision), power system, recording ability, clarity, options, etc. Do not waste your money if you are not prepared to purchase a good system. In the long run, it will do you no good.
In my humble opinion therefore, CCTV has more of a psychological impact (outside of continuous monitoring) that says to would-be bandits, hey, you are being watched! Such an approach may or may not act as a deterrent. In fact knowing there is CCTV, bandits will take actions aimed at securing their identity. Or simply, cut the CCTV cable or destroy the recorder which means they are already inside. This scenario played itself out many times in Georgetown where many stores, in particular cell phone stores were cleaned out by thieves during the night with not a single one of them being identified by CCTV. Some of these night prowlers were apprehended due to their own greed and stupidity and good police work in tenaciously following up on leads.
Does this render CCTV useless as a crime deterrent? In the scenario discussed, yes and no! Usefulness or uselessness is determined by the circumstances, purpose or intention of its installation! Some systems are hooked up to a motion sensor that is configured to send signals to the owner and/or back up armed security provided by companies in the business of security. But has it really made a difference. It just does not make sense to me when the owner is incapable of defending himself against an attack and the security company’s response time is lengthy.
I have known of cases whereby the time back up security appears on the scene, bandits would have already disappeared. This approach therefore calls for a great deal of rethinking. The fixed response approach may need to be revisited. (I know what is going through your mind! Where would this leave the security companies and the Police for that matter? They have built their reputation around this concept.) But there is no need to panic! All I am saying, it needs to be revisited with a view of bolstering its efficiency. Another element is needed; a call to action if you will, action that will at the least invoke an immediate (real time) and hopefully public response. Even if this is not forthcoming, then the psychological impact can possibly deter the criminals from carrying out their sinister act. Or at least, disrupt their operational plan where they would have to beat a hasty retreat.
In my view the response has to be three fold. One: yes, alert the owner. Two: yes, alert the security company, and Three: configure motion sensors to trip alarm system that makes loud piercing, ear shattering noise. Alert every single soul in the vicinity of the crime scene that an armed robbery is in progress! This can be applicable day or night, in rural or urban areas/business centres. It does not matter. Once people hear that particular sound, they are immediately alerted to the fact that an armed robbery is in progress. You are therefore taking the offensive by snatching the elements of surprise and silence from under the feet of your tormentors.
Fear is an element you can put to good use against these parasites. More than likely, would-be bandits would scuttle away for fear of being cornered by collective community action or being caught by the police.  You are taking the offensive away from them by throwing their game plan in disarray. Once the element of surprise is lost, it brings with it great uncertainty, stress and the real urgent need to beat a hasty retreat. They are vulnerable also.
As I established before, silence and darkness are a criminal’s best friend: noise and light are his/her worst enemy. Use them to your best advantage. Historically, sound has been used as an early warning system, to destroy, alert, locate, entice, mate, intimidate, etc. Think about the air raid sirens during the Second World War, the Policeman’s whistle, motor vehicle horns, etc. We see therefore, this concept is noting new, just a rehash of what already existed, but now being presented in a different context. (Security is creativity, not stagnation, pandering to the known or an exercise in ‘intellectualism’. Sometimes we tend to live in the knowledge of accumulated ideas from dead men, and so too we become like them, dead to originality or creativity.
Always be prepared and do not leave everything to yourself. One of our major undoing is that sometimes we feel we need to control everything. This is true for the ‘take charge’ kind of owner. You feel nothing goes right if you do not step in. It is because you are too obsessive; though, given the poor level of the labour force from which you draw employees, you may be perfectly correct in your approach. You are the best judge of your circumstances.
Involve your families, employees, etc. It is essential to have a back up with specific instructions on how to activate your alarm or what to do in the event of a robbery attempt during business hours. Different businesses, with varying service orientations obviously will need to consider their specific security needs an so configure their security system accordingly. A ‘Cambio’ for instance will have some aspects of its security configured differently from let’s say, a clothing store or dry goods shop.
Rehearse and take time off to ensure everyone is in sync with your plans. Educate your staff on security measures to be taken. Of course, you may wish to exercise some level of caution and commonsense here since not all need to know the entirety of your system. Keep in mind the need to know policy. Give them specific responsibilities. That and only that must they do. You do not want people to panic and run ‘helter skelter’ thereby increasing the risk of injuries. Prep them so they know what to do and who to call given any window of opportunity. Once you are prepared, there are simple, no cost, commonsense things that you can do to help in the fight back against banditry. From all that I have been writing, you can put your own little package together.
Do not depend on the lone ‘watchman’ you so often display by the entrance of your store. While He or She may be good for shoplifters; they are helpless when confronted with the kind of banditry we are speaking of. Some of you have had your own bitter experiences.
If the Editor so permits, Part III will continue with a focus on the Home scenario which will bring to an end my little writing on security awareness and community involvement. I sincerely and humbly hope I have been of some service to you.